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When That Belly Discomfort
Won’t Go Away Functional Abdominal Pain is one of the top reasons for visits to school nurses
Symptoms of FAP FAP tends to be worse during stressful situations, and usually peaks during the start of a new school year or during other stressful situations such as a recent move, a new school, loss of a loved one, divorce, etc., says Dr. Rina Sanghavi, a gastroenterology specialist at Children’s Medical Center and assistant professor of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition at UT Southwestern. Educating the family is an important part of treatment of the child with FAP. The pain the child feels is real, like a severe headache, but does not mean the child has a disease. Why does FAP occur? Just like we have nerves in the brain (the ‘big brain’), our intestines have a lot of nerve connections as well – giving it the nickname ‘the little brain.’ The big and little brains are in constant communication, Dr. Sanghavi says. For example, before going on stage to give a public speech, we may experience butterflies in our stomach because the big brain is telling the little brain that there is a stressful situation, and the gut responds by sending out signals that make the intestine move and react more vigorously. Usually, in someone who is genetically pre disposed to having FAP, a stomach virus, recent illness such as a common cold, etc., tends to make the nerves of the intestines go into ‘overdrive’ so that they are constantly sensing a ‘stress signal’ even though there is none, says Dr. Sanghavi. What are the treatment options for FAP? Treatment consists of giving medication to calm down the nerves of the gut, as well as teaching relaxation techniques, which can be learned with the help of a counselor or a psychologist. Most children with FAP will recover in a few weeks to a few months, says Dr. Sanghavi. It is important to continue to encourage the child to keep going to school, she says. If he or she experiences a bad pain attack at school, the child can be seen by the school nurse, who can apply a hot pack to the belly and let the child rest for a bit before resuming classes. Missing classes makes the situation more stressful and will usually aggravate the pain. Avoid pain relieving medication unless recommended by the child’s doctor. Specialized care for your child Resources Last reviewed: February 2009 |
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The health information presented in this email newsletter is intended for information purposes only and is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional. This information should not be used to treat or diagnose a health condition. Always seek advice from a trained healthcare provider. Thank You! For more health information, visit our comprehensive health library. | ||||||||
Does your child complain of pain in the belly that
won’t go away but doesn’t come with fever, vomiting, diarrhea or
constipation? Then he or she may have FAP, functional abdominal pain. FAP
is a common complaint in children ages 4-14. In fact, it represents one of
the top reasons for visits to the school nurses and to pediatricians
during the school year.
